It looks like some Pixel owners already on Oreo are running into a confusing 'Android 7.1.2' update on their devices. In a report from 9TO5Google, some Pixel owners have recently taken to Google+ and Google product forums to report this bug. Early user reports show this is likely just a mislabeling of an OTA but Google has yet to confirm. Rebooting the phone installs the update automatically and still cites the Android 8.0.0 Oreo version on startup, so there seems to be no threat of any forced downgrading for the time being.

Android O release delay rumor

There's a disappointing new rumor making the rounds online. We had expected the Android O update to come to Pixel devices in mid-August, but now there's word that it could be delayed. David Ruddock of AndroidPolice posted on Twitter that the Android O update for the Pixel has been pushed back, and there's no new ETA. We don't know what his source for this information is, so there's no reason to get your hopes too down, but a delay wouldn't be so surprising.

The Android O update for Pixel has been pushed back (surprise). No new ETA.

Android O Beta is official

Thanks to the Android beta program, you can now get future Android versions before their actual release. You can register your device for the beta program by following the steps after clicking this link. Shortly thereafter, you'll receive an OTA update ("over-the-air") to the current beta version. Google has included a list of authorized devices at the bottom of the page.

Caution: Betas may contain errors that may affect the normal operation of your device. After the end of the beta program, your device will be updated to the regular release. If you want to back up to the stable version, all user data on your device will be deleted.

As an alternative to the OTA-based beta program, you can also download the factory images of the preview version. You can find the images for the Android O Preview on the Google page by clicking in this link. Make sure you download Developer Preview 2, because only these are the same as Android O Beta.

Android O for Nexus and Pixel phones

To the surprise of many, Google released the developer preview of their newest OS - Android O - on the 22nd of March 2017. The update brings quite a few interesting features such as Picture-in-Picture mode, Adaptive icons, Keyboard Navigation and support for high quality Bluetooth audio codecs. For a full overview of what the Android O(reo) developer preview brought, read through our Android O Features article.

We also installed the Android O developer preview on our Nexus 5X and Pixel C and gave it a good test drive. Check out our article and see what our initial thoughts are on google latest OS update.

August 2017 security patch now available

Some Pixel and Nexus devices can now get the August 2017 monthly security patch through the factory images and OTA files. The devices that will be getting the update are: Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 LTE and Wi-Fi models and also the Nexus Player.

The August 2017 security patch brings fixes to critical vulnerabilities and bugs, as well as performance and stability optimizations. A critical security vulnerability which would allow a remote attacker to execute code on devices was found, and has been fixed with this update.

Pixel and Pixel XL Android version and security update guarantees

Google has posted their update plans for the Pixel and Pixel XL devices on an official support page. These two phones were launched in October 2016, and have now been guaranteed Android version updates through to October 2018, and security updates until October 2019.

This sort of timeline isn't unexpected, as it has been mostly the same with Nexus phones: two years of Android updates and three years of security updates guaranteed. That said, by adding this information to the support page, it's now officially locked in.

Android 7.1.2 rolling out to Nexus Player and Pixel C

In recent days there have been reports that the Nexus Player and Pixel C have been receiving an Android 7.1.2 update. If you need a heads-up on the 7.1.2 update, it's not a major event as it brings with it only a few notable new features. For instance, the Pixel Launcher has managed to make its way to the Pixel C and includes a new battery usage list.

Opinion by Georg Seebode

I'm a fan of the Pixel Launcher's design

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For the moment, the Google OTA and Factory Image pages haven't been updated. Whilst the latest update has only been rolled out to the Nexus Player and Pixel C, this is a sign that other devices will be receiving the Android 7.1.2 update relatively soon.

Nexus 6 is being downgraded to Android 7.0 Nougat from 7.1.1

The Nexus 6 had already received an update to Android 7.1.1 Nougat, but Google has now decided to downgrade the smartphone back to Android 7.0 Nougat. This choice was likely due to bugs, but the downgrade OTA is causing even more problems. Nexus 6 users just can't catch a break.

The update to 7.1.1 brought bugs, but those were fixed in the March security update. The March security update, however, then broke Android Pay. And now, users with 7.1.1 are reporting that they are receiving OTA updates to... Android 7.0.

It should come as no surprise, this unusual downgrade has some problems. Once the 7.0 OTA is downloaded, users are reporting that apps are continuously crashing after the update. A Nexus Community Manager posted on Reddit that a factory reset should solve any issues. The Community Manager also clarified that users will need to "get back on the 7.0 supported track" to guarantee future OTA updates. But, users who want to flash or sideload future builds are welcome to stay on 7.1.1.

Check which Android version is available for your Nexus

As a Nexus owner, you're in the privileged position of being able to receiving a monthly security update from Google. Your smartphone automatically checks whether there is a new Android version every day. However, these updates are not released to all users at the same time. You can try to trigger them manually if you go into Settings > About Phone > System Updates - though this won't do you much good if the update hasn't been released for your smartphone yet.

EOL - End of Life

Additionally, Google keeps a curated list of Nexus devices with their respective "No guaranteed Android version updates after" dates. You can easily access this list in the Google Nexus Help Center. Go to "When you'll get Android software updates" and then click on "Nexus Devices" to get a drop down list. Sadly, both the Nexus 6 and the Nexus 9 (both released in 2014) have reached the infamous "EOL" (End of Life) stage, and so they won't be receiving any further Android updates. They will, however, continue to receive security updates, which was officially confirmed by Google in Ars Technica. Their position on EOL devices and updates is as follows:

Nexus devices will receive security patches for at least three years from their initial availability, or at least 18 months from the last availability on the Google Store, whichever is longer.

If your device is still in the list to receive an Android update, it's worthwhile taking a look at the so called Factory Images. These will give you an indication about which Android version is the most up to date for your Nexus. If you want to go down this road, you need to accept the terms of service - which will warn you that you might end up loosing your data as a consequence. Then tap on the name of your device to get to the list with the current firmware.

You'll be able to tell the difference between the various versions by their build number. Compare the build number with the one on your Nexus. This is easily done by going into Settings >About Phone. If your smartphone has a different version from the one listed, you'll most likely receive an Android update relatively soon. If you want to receive the update earlier, there is the option to install it manually.

Installing Android updates on your Nexus or Pixel

We've sorted the various options of installing updates on Pixel and Nexus devices from the most simple through to the more complicated options. Further down below are some solutions on how to get Android updates for devices that are no longer receiving official updates.

Over the air: automatic updates

OTA Image: incremental updates without data loss

Factory Image: complete fresh installation

OTA - Over the Air

If you're the patient type, you can simply wait for the next automatic update to be released. Google supplies Nexus devices with new Android versions for a period of two years, and provides security patches for three years. This list of supported devices is always up to date:

OTA Images

Google always distributes its updates "Over the Air", but you'll often have to wait several weeks before you'll actually receive them. Google also offers the OTA files on their official download page, so you can easily flash them yourself. The advantage of updating your device like this is that no factory reset is required. You still need ADB tools for this method though.

The prerequisite for this method however is that you have not modified your device. If you are using Xposed, have a custom kernel, custom recovery, SuperSU, or even installed a custom ROM, you wont be able to flash the OTA file. You can find the OTA downloads on Google's developer page.

Select the appropriate OTA file from the developer page. DO not unzip the file, but copy it into the folder where you've got the ADB tools instead. Then, perform the following steps:

Turn off your Nexus

Press and hold Volume Down and Power to enter the Fastboot menu

Use the volume buttons to select Recovery Mode and press the Power button.

Once you see the Android robot, hold down the Power button and briefly press the Volume Up button.

From the open recovery menu, select the apply update from ADB option with the volume buttons and confirm your selection with the power button.

Connect your Nexus to your computer using the USB cable and go to the ADB Tools folder. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and right-click on an empty spot in the Explorer and select Open Command Window Here from the context menu by clicking on it with the left mouse button.

Now enter the following command and confirm with ENTER: adb sideload <filename> - ota.zip.

The update will now be installed. The entire process takes about 5 minutes. When everything is ready, you can restart the Nexus using the reboot system option in the recovery menu.

Tip for the command line: Just type the first characters of a file name or command and press the Tab key to complete it automatically.

Factory Image

Probably the most elaborate, but also reliable, way to install a new Android version on a Nexus is via the Factory Image. After this process your Nexus will have reverted back to the factory settings and all your data will have been erased. Back up your photos, address book, SMS, and call history before you opt to update your Nexus like this. You will also have to reconfigure your apps afterwards.

Before you start, you will need a debugging connection. We've explained how to set this up on your computer in a separate article:

After setting up USB Debugging, download the above mentioned Factory Image for your Nexus. At the same time you can already start backing up your phone and unlocking your bootloader (here's a tutorial on how to do it for the Nexus 5).

The factory image will now be installed on your Nexus. This will take a few minutes, but once it is finished press any key on the keyboard to close the input prompt. The Nexus will end the installation and then restart.

If any errors occur, you should first check the version of your ADB tools and, if necessary, replace them with a newer one. Furthermore, you can also flash the images individually. Execute the commands in this order:

Fastboot flash bootloader <bootloader-filename> .img

Fastboot flash radio <radio-filename> .img

Fastboot reboot bootloader

Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Fastboot flash boot boot.img

Fastboot flash system system.img

Fastboot flash cache cache.img

Fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

Beta Program: Get Android versions earlier than the rest

Thanks to the Android Beta Program, you'll be able to get your hands on future Android versions before their actual release. You can register your devices for the beta program via this link. Google lists authorized devices on the same page. Shortly after registering you'll receive an OTA update to the current beta version.

Caution: Updates may contain errors that may affect the normal performance of your device. After the end of the program, your device will be updated to the regular release. If you want to revert back to a stable version before the regular release, all user data on your device will be deleted.

Unofficial Android Nougat updates for Nexus 5 and Co.

Has your Nexus passed the "Google update expiry date"? Do you still want new features and updates? The Android community offers numerous unofficial updates, which you can flash on your Nexus with minimal risk (this does not mean risk free). This will always result in data loss, which is why you should make a backup. If the process goes wrong, you bring your Nexus back to life again with the factory images.

Nougat for the Nexus 5 and other old devices

Officially Google may not be develop a Nougat update for the Nexus 5, but that does not mean that the smartphone has been left for dead. Since its last official update, several Custom-ROMs have become available.

The supply of Nougat-based firmware for old Nexus devices is still growing. In most cases, it is still better to wait though until truly stable versions have hit the developer forums. Lineage OS is ready for more and more devices and the development of the other custom ROMs based on Nougat is almost complete.

Have you installed an Android update on your own Nexus device? Was it successful? Let us know in the comments below.

10 comments

I have a Nexus 5X running fine with Android 7.1.2 (and its not a beta) that has got it from OTA. And I can attend the beta program for Android O (8) if I want. What have you been smoking. That diagram is for me just confusing or maybee wrong.

I'm running Nougat 7.1.1 with March 2017 Security Update withOUT any problems on NEXUS 6 and NEXUS 9 LTE tablet. You must have an UNrooted and Locked OEM in order for Android Pay to work. Otherwise, it won't cooperate.

Wow this doesn't sound right to me. How do you fix bugs by downgrading causing more bugs and problems than what users initially had? Why not just fix the issues that was reported on 7.1.1? At some point they will anyway receive 7.1.1 again. Why the back and forth move with the firmware? Feel sorry for the effected Nexus users. Receiving new features with the 7.1.1 update I assume and I guess they will lose it reverting back to 7.0.

Why don't nexus devices get longer OS support? only 2 years? My wife has a nexus 5x (running Nougat) which is actually pretty awesome, and i still have my old HTC One M7 (running Lollipop) which has been showing it's age. OS updates is an ongoing bugbear with Android, as we also have an Apple iPad4 (2013) still running the lastest OS 4 years on.Honestly, why can't Google change this so the OS with security updates directly updated from google (ie. nexus/pixel and apple) and then manufacturers push out their UI (ie. Sense, Touchwiz etc.) overlays all as "app" updates over top - is it too late/ingrained as is or is this just too hard to change?

Hey Greg - there are several reasons for this. Google only "guarantees" an update cycle of 2 years for nexus devices and cites the hardware as the reason. Its more like an insurance policy, as older devices (hardware) might not be able to cope with the increased demands of a newer OS. The reality is though that while some older Nexus devices wont receive newer versions OTA, they can still run them perfectly fine if you install them manually. Even if you dont get a new android version, you still receive the security updates for a certain time - but thats more of a consolation prize.

Apples policy is different with updates as they have 100% percent control of all hardware aspects - google never actually built any nexus devices -> the pixel isnt a nexus.

Thanks Georg, i just don't think 2 years is good enough really, surely the OS can run on older hardware, I mean next year the hardware of the HTC 10 (4gb ram with SD820) is not powerful enough for the 'official' OS? that's a bit on the nose, it seems counterintuitive given how few devices really run the latest version of android and given how slow OEM's are updating their skins and OS.